Potential Torn Pec Not Necessarily Season-Ending Injury for T.J. Watt

CINCINNATI — If Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has indeed torn his left pectoral muscle, it might not mean the end of his 2022 season.

Watt, who was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals, said he thought he tore his muscle and reporting after the game confirmed that he is expected to undergo scans in order to determine the extent of the damage.

But a torn pectoral isn’t a season-ender. If it is torn, Watt would need surgery, but could come back before the end of the 2022, former Chargers doctor David Chao said on his Sports Injury Central website.

Chao said the full recovery time for a torn pec is usually three to four months, which could see Watt return well before the postseason. Chao pointed out that Watt’s brother J.J. Watt returned in two months when he suffered the same injury in 2019.

The Steelers will obviously be significantly impacted by any absence from the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but the fact that Watt’s season may not be over, even in the worst-case of expected scenarios, should be a boost to the mood after what felt like a Pyrrhic victory in Cincinnati.

Watt, Najee Harris, Cam Heyward, DeMarvin Leal, Robert Spillane and Levi Wallace all left the game with injuries and did not return. The Steelers got good news regarding Heyward and Leal. More in Steelers Injury Updates.

The Steelers added to their depth at the outside linebacker position at the end of training camp, acquiring Malik Reed in a trade from the Denver Broncos and claiming Jamir Jones on waivers. Reed has started 34 games over the last three seasons for the Denver Broncos. Jones started one game for the Steelers last season before being lost on waivers.

If Watt will miss more than four weeks, the Steelers can put him on the short-term injured reserve list and add another player to their roster.